







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I'm happy to hear we have similar music taste! | |
| Sh*t! I can't believe it's already 10:30! | |
| Sorry, I don't have much time, can I tell you the story when I'm back? | |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |
| Welcome to the Diamond Duck, do you have a reservation, sir? | |
| Look, there is a shop assistant. | |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | |
| I'm sorry to say there is nothing very exciting. | |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | |
| Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | |
| As I'm a smoker, I prefer sitting outside. | |
| Do you live around here? | |
| When I have free time. | |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | |
| Set times always stress me out. | |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | |
| Yeah, I want to see the bathroom... | |
| But I don't think I can use them all, there are too many! | |